Lewis & Clark's Girandoni Air Rifle

Unlicensed Dremel · March 17, 2014, 03:41 PM

Hey anyone know more about this rifle?

I've been hearing snippets for years, but now want the details, since I'm more or less obsessed with the Corps of Discovery Expedition these days:

http://www.fieldandstream.com/articl...nting-firearms

Off the top, I'm wondering, was it charged just once for the trip, and that's it (when it's out, it's out), or was there a method of recharging, and how was it done? I'm sure it's probably the latter.

Microgunner · March 17, 2014, 04:40 PM

I heard once in a PBS special that the rifle required two men using a hand operated pump to charge the rifle's reservoir.
I seem to remember it took several thousand pumps to fully charge the rifle and for that reason it was little used.
Basically an emergency weapon should their powder get wet.

Brian Pfleuger · March 17, 2014, 04:45 PM

The wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girandoni_Air_Rifle

A youtube video by the museum:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pqFyKh-rUI

Unlicensed Dremel · March 17, 2014, 05:22 PM

Wow, that video is fantastic; thank you!

johnwilliamson062 · March 17, 2014, 09:41 PM

My understanding is it was used mostly to impress natives.
There was a European military force outfitted with these rifles at or shortly after the Time of Lewis and Clark's expedition.
Wikipedia
That article is simple, but right on according to everything I have read. The sources would likely prove valuable. I believe someone is manufacturing reproductions. I can't remember how much, but I think it is in the range or exceeding the price of a high end 50 BMG rifle.

wogpotter · March 18, 2014, 07:19 AM

You're correct about there being a repro. I don't remember the brand, but there was a demonstration of one at the Army Heritage Museum a couple of years back.

Colt46 · March 18, 2014, 09:53 AM

I'm pretty certain the Austrian corps of marksmen or skirmishers were known to use an air rifle. Being smokeless gave them an advantage in firing from concealment. Shot to shot variation seemed to be the biggest disadvantage IIRC.

March 17, 2014, 03:41 PM	#1
Unlicensed Dremel Junior member Join Date: February 13, 2014 Location: Flathead Valley, MT Posts: 2,187	Lewis & Clark's Girandoni Air Rifle Hey anyone know more about this rifle? I've been hearing snippets for years, but now want the details, since I'm more or less obsessed with the Corps of Discovery Expedition these days: http://www.fieldandstream.com/articl...nting-firearms Off the top, I'm wondering, was it charged just once for the trip, and that's it (when it's out, it's out), or was there a method of recharging, and how was it done? I'm sure it's probably the latter.

March 17, 2014, 04:40 PM	#2
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	I heard once in a PBS special that the rifle required two men using a hand operated pump to charge the rifle's reservoir. I seem to remember it took several thousand pumps to fully charge the rifle and for that reason it was little used. Basically an emergency weapon should their powder get wet. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

March 17, 2014, 04:45 PM	#3
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	The wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girandoni_Air_Rifle A youtube video by the museum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pqFyKh-rUI __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

March 18, 2014, 07:19 AM	#6
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	You're correct about there being a repro. I don't remember the brand, but there was a demonstration of one at the Army Heritage Museum a couple of years back. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

March 18, 2014, 09:53 AM	#7
Colt46 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: Campbell Ca Posts: 1,090	They were a service weapon in at least one European Army I'm pretty certain the Austrian corps of marksmen or skirmishers were known to use an air rifle. Being smokeless gave them an advantage in firing from concealment. Shot to shot variation seemed to be the biggest disadvantage IIRC.

March 17, 2014, 05:22 PM	#4
Unlicensed Dremel Junior member Join Date: February 13, 2014 Location: Flathead Valley, MT Posts: 2,187	Wow, that video is fantastic; thank you!

March 17, 2014, 09:41 PM	#5
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	My understanding is it was used mostly to impress natives. There was a European military force outfitted with these rifles at or shortly after the Time of Lewis and Clark's expedition. Wikipedia That article is simple, but right on according to everything I have read. The sources would likely prove valuable. I believe someone is manufacturing reproductions. I can't remember how much, but I think it is in the range or exceeding the price of a high end 50 BMG rifle.